Fleet Management

Manufacturing

Economic activity in the nation’s manufacturing sector expanded in December for the seventh consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 55th consecutive month, according to a new report from the nation’s purchasing managers.

Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in October for the 46th consecutive month, according to the nation's purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing Institute for Supply Management Report On Business.

Economic activity in the nation’s manufacturing sector expanded in October for the fifth consecutive month and the overall economy grew for the 53rd consecutive month, according to the nation's supply executives in a survey by the Institute of Supply Management.

Although a "cavalcade of regulations" is expected to make it harder than ever to find drivers, an economy that continues to grow at a sub-potential rate means fleets don't have a lot of leverage when it comes to raising rates, according to John Larkin and fellow transportation analysts at the Stifel Nicolaus investment firm.

Shipment of factory orders in July increased while new orders fell, according to a new Commerce Department report. Overall shipments saw their second hike in the past three months, but durable goods shipments fell slightly.

Industrial production in the United States has posted its largest increase in four months, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. The overall performance matched a consensus estimate by economists surveyed by Bloomberg News, while the manufacturing number -- key to truck freight -- was better than expected.

Shipments and new orders for manufactured goods in the United States both headed higher in May, according to a new U.S. Commerce Department report, easing earlier fears this important sector to trucking and the economy might be in for tougher times.

Overall construction spending in the United States during May rebounded sharply from the month before, thanks in part to an uptick in spending on public construction projects, while an other report shows manufacturing returned to expansion mode in June.

Total spending in the United State on construction remains volatile. while manufacturing has declined. A new report from the U.S. Commerce Department show construction spending in April increased 0.4% from the month before. In March activity fell 0.8%, after rising in February and declining 4% in January.

A new full report from the U.S. Commerce Department shows factory goods shipments and orders are continuing a nearly non-interrupted streak of increases, which combined with other evidence bodes well for the near future of trucking.